What is Servant Leadership?
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Servant leaders seek to benefit workers by cultivating a work atmosphere of service and healthy habits. Instead of prioritizing their own expectations in a workplace, they aim to serve employees and lead by example. In the process, servant leaders empower workers and showcase selflessness in their roles.?
Leadership skills are among the most in-demand skills employers look for in a candidate. However, there is an alternative way to lead in a workplace. A popular but non-traditional leadership style known as “servant leadership” prioritizes leading through servanthood. A servant leader seeks to support workers by serving the best interests of others ahead of their own.?
Although servant leadership attributes are becoming more common in professional settings, the practices still sound odd to how many companies operate. The philosophy essentially flips work relationships so that bosses serve employees, instead of employees only serving their bosses. This dynamic cultivates a positive work culture of collaboration in which workers lead by example.?
Slow Down and Reflect
During a LinkedIn Learning course, chief spiritual officer and co-founder of The Ken Blanchard Companies, Ken Blanchard, speaks about the concept of servant leadership from experience. He says that servant leadership is a process of personal refinement, unlike regular leadership skills which remain impersonal and relegated to professional interests. “Servant leadership, to really be effective, starts in the inside, it starts in your heart with, who are you as a human being? And the question I always like to ask is, are you here to serve or be served?”?
Blanchard advocates for a morning routine that involves contemplation and reevaluation ahead of a workday. By practicing this ritualistic discipline, you will continually remind yourself of your intentions and goals as a leader. This daily habit also combats a self-serving leadership mentality that some people may be in danger of falling into. Just as servant leadership intends to direct your focus away from yourself and onto others, this step of self-evaluation aims to put things into perspective.?
He says, “... if you want to be a great servant leader you got to have an examined life and you got to set goals and visions in the morning, and then evaluate how well you do it… get in the habit of entering your day slowly and then get out there and live a life of service."?
Exemplifying Service
Blanchard goes on to reference Gordon MacDonald’s Ordering Your Private World who stated that people either feel “called or driven.” MacDonald believes that despite the positive connotation that comes with being driven, healthy leadership is exemplified in people who feel a sense of calling. Whereas driven people are often self-determined and seek control of a situation, called people tend to operate out of responsibility and selflessness according to MacDonald.?
Blanchard says, “When you talk about service, we do want to move from an ‘I,’ which is the self, to a ‘we.’ And the ‘we’ is, what are we trying to accomplish? What are we trying to do here?” This framing is representative of servant leadership as a whole, as leaders view themselves on the same level as subordinates in terms of their service.
Servant leaders should be contributing in some capacity, demonstrating the type of work they expect. They should not withhold information that might be considered advantageous to them. Instead, they largely coach and empower workers to become leaders themselves in the long run. This humility characterizes a servant leader, giving employees character they can emulate.?
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Maintaining Habits
Similar to the recommended morning ritual of self-reflection, implementing other habits may contribute to a humble outlook. The sense of stewardship which comes with feeling called to a leadership position is described as a byproduct of gratitude.?
Blanchard refers to a daily rhythm of praise following a workday. By taking note of things which you are grateful for, you can conclude the day by acknowledging accomplishments and other positives. This habit can be formative in your growth as a servant leader over time.
This habit should manifest in your interactions with workers as you seek to empathize and encourage others. You may be grateful for an employee’s productivity or growing skills as a leader themselves. Although constructive criticism is often addressed, simple encouragement can go a long way on its own to contribute to a positive work atmosphere.?
Most leaders likely incorporate some practices of servant leadership in their managing style. Roxanne Petraeus, CEO of Ethena and U.S. Army veteran, reflects on some simple aspects of leadership which carry over into the subversive philosophy. She says that in the Army, “There’s an idea of never asking someone to do something you wouldn’t be willing to do yourself, and the idea of eating last. It’s a common phrase that you have a privilege to lead individuals. It’s not for your own glory or your own perks. There’s a mission that is bigger than individuals.”?
As the co-founder of Ethena, Petraeus says that her leadership philosophy hasn’t changed very much since her time with the Army. She also elaborates on the benefits of her leadership style which allows for feedback from employees. “My view is that leaders should always ask for feedback because hearing it is really valuable. In a bigger organization that you lead, the natural tendency is for employees to not give you feedback so as a leader you have to be really intentional.”
She suggests that leaders should also demonstrate openness to feedback through everyday actions. Habits of self-evaluation and gratitude should help to counteract potential defensiveness when receiving constructive criticism you may disagree with. Petraeus makes a habit of remaining professional by thanking an employee or colleague who offers notes, regardless of how accurate they might seem at the moment.??
Just as coworkers may feel comfortable providing each other with feedback, a servant leader should present opportunities for employees to voice constructive criticism. This practice cultivates trust in a workplace and creates shared accountability.
Ultimately, the philosophy of servant leadership presents leaders with the ability to inspire and empower others in a professional setting. The subversive but practical style has contributed to a healthy work environment that alleviates tension and promotes responsibility.?
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What is servant leadership? How can I become a servant leader?